Bengals 53-man Roster Prediction: Former undrafted wide receiver already secured his spot before the final preseason game started
One last prediction before final cuts.
And that’s a wrap for both training camp and the preseason for the Cincinnati Bengals. The next handful of days are all about putting finishing touches on the first, and certainly not last, 53-man roster for the 2025 season.
First will come roster cuts, then waiver claims, and then possible trades and free agent signings come back into the picture once the dust settles for real. For our final prediction, we’ll stick to the names in the building.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2025 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2025 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (2)
IN: Joe Burrow, Jake Browning
OUT: Desmond Ridder, Payton Thorne**
The skinny: Browning not dressing at all for Saturday was further confirmation that he was never in a battle with Ridder. His showing in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders sealed the deal if it wasn’t sealed already.
Running back (3)
IN: Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, Tahj Brooks*
OUT: Gary Brightwell, Kendall Milton, Quali Conley**
The skinny: Initially, I was ready to say be on the lookout for waiver claims at this spot, but Milton made a strong case to be RB4 if they keep that many. He’s a lock for the practice squad if nothing else.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones, Mitchell Tinsley, Jermaine Burton
OUT: Isaiah Williams, Cole Burgess, Kendric Pryor, Jordan Moore**, Jamoi Mayes**, Rashod Owens**
The skinny: Hats off to Tinsley, who signed a futures deal in February and didn’t need to play at all Saturday as his spot was already secured. Burton suffered an injury or re-injured his knee but should still make it as WR6 if he’s able to play Week 1. If another is needed in his place, expect Williams to be that guy.
Tight end (5)
IN: Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki, Noah Fant, Tanner Hudson, Cam Grandy
OUT: Tanner McLachlan
I.R.: Erick All Jr.
The skinny: Keep five even with Fant? It’s still possible since Gesicki is essentially a wideout. Grandy and McLachlan had plenty of reps against Indy and the former just brings more value as a blocker, which will be needed as the season progresses.
Offensive line (9)
IN: Orlando Brown Jr. (LT), Dylan Fairchild* (LG), Ted Karras (C), Lucas Patrick (RG), Amarius Mims (RT), Cody Ford, Jalen Rivers*, Matt Lee, Devin Cochran
OUT: Jaxson Kirkland, Andrew Coker, Andrew Stueber, Andrew Ryam, Seth McLaughlin**, Caleb Etienne**
I.R.: Cordell Volson
The skinny: Is Dalton Risner coming to save the day? Not if he and the front office can’t agree on a contract. Even if the vet comes back to town, it may be too late in the game to expect a new fac starting Week 1, unless that face is Rivers, who’s looked much more promising at right guard compared to left tackle. Lee finally made his preseason debut and knocked off some rust. He should be the backup center, but there’s an argument to have both him and McLaughlin on the 53. Cochran is needed for tackle depth.
Defensive line (10)
IN: Trey Hendrickson (DE), B.J. Hill (DT), T.J. Slaton (NT), Joseph Ossai (DE), Shemar Stewart*, Kris Jenkins Jr., McKinnley Jackson, Myles Murphy, Cam Sample, Taven Bryan
OUT: Cedric Johnson, McTelvin Agim, Isaiah Thomas, Raymond Johnson III, Howard Cross III**, Eric Gregory**
The skinny: Bryan vs. Cross III has been the battle for the fifth defensive tackle. Jackson played deep into preseason games but I don’t think his spot is actually in jeopardy as a third-round pick from last year. Bryan carries experience and positional versatility that Cross doesn’t quite have now, but the practice squad is calling his name. Don’t discount keeping 11 here with a sixth edge as Murphy recovers from an injury.
Linebacker (5)
IN: Logan Wilson, Demetrius Knight Jr.*, Oren Burks, Barrett Carter*, Joe Giles-Harris
OUT: Maema Njongmeta, Shaka Heyward, Craig Young
The skinny: Giles-Harris and Njongmeta may be the two most likely to round out the group, but if they go 10 up front and 10 in the back end, five is probably the number here.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt, DJ Turner II, Josh Newton, DJ Ivey, Jalen Davis
OUT: Marco Wilson, Micah Abrahan, Nate Brooks, Lance Robinson, Bralyn Lux**
The skinny: The sixth spot could go in multiple directions and it would not shock me if Wilson gets it, but Davis appears to be the backup in the slot and he’s been around for a lot longer. Look for Lux to come back on the practice squad.
Safety (4)
IN: Geno Stone, Jordan Battle, Tycen Anderson, Daijahn Anthony
OUT: PJ Jules, Jaylen Key, Shaquan Loyal**
The skinny: Jules came to play against the Colts but was it enough to oust Anthony? I would lean no, unless Anthony’s injury is severe. The practice squad needs a safety or two anyways.
Specialists (3)
IN: Evan McPherson (K), Ryan Rehkow (P), Cal Adomitis (LS)
OUT: William Wagner**
The skinny: Honestly, flip a coin at long snapper. Both have been clean this month and the decision could just default to keeping the status quo, but Wagner would be an obvious practice squad candidate.